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Afro-Canadians Gear Up For Second Edition Of Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival In Toronto

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As preparation and planning toward the second edition of the annual Pan-Afrika Drum Festival commence, Afro-Canadians, Canadians, culture enthusiasts, and tourists have been gearing up to have another fantastic cultural display.

 

The stage is now set for the second edition of the prestigious and foremost cultural fiesta in North America on Friday, June 28th.

 

In a press statement made available to the media by the convener and the publisher of the Drum Online Media Incorporation, Prince Segun Akanni, he said every arrangement had been made to have another remarkable and astounding cultural fiesta in Canada.

 

Akanni said the festival will be held in collaboration with the Global Forum for Human Rights and Sustainable Development (GFHRSD), a United Nations recognized non-governmental organisation.

 

He said: “The first edition, Ayangalu Drum Festival was hugely successful with goodwill messages from prominent figures such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Hon. Doug Ford, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada Adeyinka Asekun, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Former Canadian Secretary of State and Minister of Immigration Gerry Weiner, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Babatunde Adeyeye, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Olota of Otta Awori Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, and Councillor Ayo Owodunni, among others. The maiden event remains unforgettable in our hearts.”

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Akanni said the festival has been re-christening as the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival. “The re-christening, according to Prince Akanni, was borne out of the desire to integrate other African Drum Festivals into a unified festival, which will serve as a platform that affords all the opportunity to showcase their rich and diverse cultural values and aesthetics on a global stage.”

 

Therefore, the second edition of the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival will be celebrated in commemoration of the Canadian Multicultural Day and it is themed “Exploring the Dynamism of African Drums and Canadian Multiculturalism for Global Unity, Inclusivity and Development”

 

The Grand Finale of the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival, will be taking place at Wesley Hall, 69 Milvan Dr, North York, ON M9L 1Y8.Friday June 28th, 2024 and the time is 8pm.

 

Akanni further said, “We anticipate that this prestigious event will attract distinguished gathering, including celebrities, political leaders, cultural icons, traditional custodians, drum aficionados, tourism enthusiasts, industry leaders, renowned percussionists, and media personalities from Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Africa, and North America as well as Latin America.

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“The grand finale promises to be captivating and exhilarating, featuring historic activities and programs such as drum-beating competition, art exhibitions, fashion show, and beauty pageant’, he explains.

 

He stated further that many prominent dignitaries have signified their interests to be part of the cultural fiesta. The event is going to be an unforgettable evening of celebration, drumming, dancing, drinks, food, entertainment and insightful conversation; Akanni stated.

 

He enjoins the Afro- Canadians to join the festival to identify with their root and embrace the essence of African culture, heritage and values.

 

Akanni stated that many prominent and important personalities will be gracing this year’s event. Those who will be declaring the festival open are representatives of Government of Canada and Ontario and they include Mayor Olivia Chow, Mayor Of Toronto, Mayor Patrick Brown, Mayor Of Brampton, diplomats, royal fathers, among others.

 

The Keynote Speaker is Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON, Chairman Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). We will also have in attendance Chief (Mrs) Ngozi Adeleke, Wife Of the Governor of Osun State as the the Mother of the Day. Many personalities who have contributed to the development of society will be honored with Awards of Excellence.

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Charly Boy celebrates daughter’s engagement to female partner

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Former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has celebrated the engagement of his daughter, Adaeze, to her female partner.

The popular musician, also famously known as Area Fada, shared a video from the engagement ceremony on his Instagram page, describing Adaeze and her partner as his “beautiful Princess and her Husband.”

“Folks, wish dem well for me,” he wrote.

Adaeze also announced the engagement in a separate Instagram post, sharing a photograph of herself with her partner.

“WE’RE ENGAGED!” she wrote, using the hashtag #mrsandmrs.

She described the engagement as the beginning of a lifetime together, expressing excitement about their future.

“Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, growth, and making beautiful memories together. I can’t wait for everything God has in store for us. Forever sounds even sweeter with you,” she added.

The announcement has attracted mixed reactions from social media users.

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Nigerian-British social media influencer dies after $9,000 penis enlargement procedure in Thailand

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Igho Ubiribo, a Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, has reportedly died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure during a luxury trip to Thailand.

According to findings from an inquest in the United Kingdom, 43-year-old Ubiribo died after the cosmetic treatment triggered a fatal pulmonary embolism.

The businessman, who was also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was on holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.

Reports from the inquest revealed that doctors injected about 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine into his penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.

After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel, where they went for a massage.

It was during the massage that he complained of chest pain before collapsing and losing consciousness.

He was rushed to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to medical staff.

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His wife reportedly informed doctors that he had recently undergone penis filler injections, prompting concerns that the procedure may have been linked to his condition.

Medical personnel suspected a pulmonary embolism and recommended further scans, but Ubiribo reportedly lost consciousness before the examination could be completed.

Doctors later transferred him to intensive care, where attempts were made to revive him through prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He was pronounced dead in the early hours of March 6.

A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later reportedly found material in Ubiribo’s lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used during the penis filler procedure.

Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance discovered matched the material injected during the cosmetic treatment.

He said the findings supported the conclusion that Ubiribo suffered a pulmonary embolism caused by the procedure.

The coroner, Jean Harkin, subsequently ruled that the businessman’s death was caused by a pulmonary embolism linked to the cosmetic injection.

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A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot or other material blocks a blood vessel supplying the lungs, potentially causing sudden breathing difficulties, heart strain and death.

During the inquest, information from Ubiribo’s doctor in London showed that he had previously undergone joint surgeries and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.

However, his doctor reportedly said he had no other major medical conditions.

Penis fillers containing hyaluronic acid are marketed as a non-surgical option for increasing girth, but medical experts have warned that injectable cosmetic procedures can carry serious risks if complications occur.

Ubiribo was known for showcasing his luxury lifestyle on social media, where he had about 185,000 Instagram followers.

Reports said he owned a home in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1 million and a London apartment reportedly worth around $600,000.

He married Zimbabwean fashion designer Danielle Simba Allen in a lavish ceremony in 2022.

Following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin, with reports claiming the funeral arrangement cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Afrobeats singer Davido, who was described as a childhood friend of the businessman, attended the funeral and paid tribute to him.

The case has renewed attention on the potential dangers associated with cosmetic procedures involving injectable fillers, after medical evidence linked the treatment to the fatal complication.

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Help locate my husband! 68-year-old British woman cries out as 31-year-old Nigerian lover disappears after arriving UK

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For 68-year-old British citizen, Dawn Ottewell, it was literally love at first sight after she hooked up with 31-year-old Nigerian, Bright Emokpae on a popular dating App, Tinder.

But what began as a love story conceived in heaven and consummated on earth has ended in heartbreak and a desperate search for answers.

At the beginning,  Dawn, who obviously was consumed by love, quickly made efforts to facilitate Emokpae’s movement to the United Kingdom after their wedding.

But soon after he arrived in the UK on a spousal visa Emokpae disappeared into thin air. At the beginning, Dawn probably believed her new husband had simply stepped out and would be back soon.

But it soon dawned on her that new husband wouldn’t be coming back any time soon.

In a story published in the UK Sun, the love-struck 68-year-old said she met the Edo State born Bright when she was at the lowest ebb in 2021 and he brightened her life with love.

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At the time, Bright Emokpae was reportedly a student in Cyprus and Dawn went on a visit. The couple eventually got married in 2022.

In 2023 Bright was in Nigeria to complete formalities for his visa to the UK courtesy of papers filed by Dawn and he relocated thereafter.

Shortly after his arrival, Dawn claimed that Bright became withdrawn and was always asking for money from her and added nothing to the sustenance of the home.

The pair separated but reunited in October 2023. According to Dawn, Bright reconciled with her because she  received a £63,000 settlement following a botched NHS prolapse operation. But he bolted from their home once again.

Not willing to put up with Emokpae’s flight from home any more, Dawn wants a divorce but her man cannot be located to sign the papers with Dawn speculating that he may have relocated to Scotland.

“He’s done a runner and is refusing to sign the divorce papers because I believe he wants to cling on to his spouse visa,” she said.

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But Dawn’s main worry is that if she dies before the divorce papers are signed Bright could inherit her estate. “My biggest fear is that I’ll die before this is sorted out and he’ll run off with the money my three children should inherit,” she said.

She says she feels Bright simply used her to get into the UK and she’s appealing for help to locate him.

“I feel I’m being used,” Ottewell said.

She added, “I would advise people to be very careful who they marry, especially when the person is from abroad, because a lot of them are just doing it for a visa, and then they disappear.”

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